The massively talented quartet Poor Moon consisting of Christian Wargo (Fleet Foxes, Crystal Skulls) Casey Wescott (Fleet Foxes, Cystal Skulls) and brothers Ian and Peter Murray (The Christmas Cards) played JB’s in Philly on April 15th. The band was named for frontman and primary songwriter Christian Wargo’s favorite Canned Heat song and seems to abstractly encapsulate the group’s constitution.

Now on Sub Pop records, the band produces a hybrid jug band type of music, sans jugs – that is to say, they play a music ripe with tradition and new era instrumentation. Born out of a long distance exchange of ideas and sounds, Poor Moon has grown into a mature sound that is certainly multi-faceted. We truly enjoyed their set and are pleased to present you with multiple videos below:

Lushlife delivered an energetic and immensely convivial performance at Johnny Brenda’s on April 17th in support of his new LP, Plateau Vision, now out on Western Vinyl records. Exercising his ability to energize crowds while concurrently operating lyrical talents, sample selection and electric drums, Lush continued to prove why he is Philly’s pre-eminent cloud-rapper.

With a very positive review by Pitchfork, and numerous glowing articles in print and digital media alike, there was much hype surrounding the set. Lush brought the goods. Digging into tracks off his new album, mixtape, and his first album (Order of Operations), he played songs we had not had the enjoyment of hearing live before. These tracks were topped off with covers of both classic Jay-Z and Nas which were excellently reconstructed.

Lushlife’s live performances are never to be missed – and we never do when he plays at home in Philly. You shouldn’t either. Watch out as Lush continues to blaze new trails and carve out musical originality in his own vein. We have every confidence that Plateau Vision will be a jumping off point for greater and greater success in the future. Watching his energy live and hearing that raw energy translate onto wax is a thing of magic. Go out and purchase the album and check out some of our video below:

Crystal Stilts played mind melting psych post-punk fuzz at JB’s in Philly on April 15th. The quintet out of BK is comprised of the talents of Brad Hargett on vocals, JB Townsend on guitar, Kyle Forester on keyboard, Andy Adler on bass, and Keegan Cooke on drums. After great buzz in 2008, the band took a hiatus and returned full force in 2011 with the LP In Love With Oblivion. Taking many cues from 60’s psych rock, Crystal Stilts maintains a fresh edge and tantalizing sound that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

Ripping through mostly new songs of their 2011 effort, in addition to several classics, Crystal Stilts created an atmosphere in JB’s reminiscent of a different time and place. Graphics projected on the giant right-angled screens behind the band showed racing images of fleeting landscapes of indistinguishable matter. The electric organ sound of the keys with acid guitar and haunting vocals cemented that aura as space in between tracks was filled with the pysch drone of hung notes and strum teases. An amazing performance from these guys who are better than ever, check out the Crystal Stilts live below:

The talented and assiduous indie electronic dance act Reptar played KFN in Philly on April 13th to a packed crowd. We were pleased to see Philly come out in such force for an act not on the radar for many – but we predict they will be soon enough in the same way Reptar has developed a huge following in the southeast from their home base of Athens, Georgia. With an EP, Oblangle Fizz Y’all, chocked full of singles and a new LP out May 1st, Reptar is on the launch pad ready to take off. The band began under its current moniker in 2008. Comprised of Ryan Engelberger (bass), William Kennedy (keys), Andrew McFarland (drums), Graham Ulicny (guitar, singing), and Poof Daunghty (percussion, keys) Reptar the group is current on the Vagrant Records imprint.

Reptar’s catchy tunes translate into an exuberant concert environment. They make parties. Every song was delivered with energy that instantaneously infected the room. Brilliant. Reptar played numerous new tracks in addition to old staples. Lined up against the front of the stage, Graham took many occasions to talk to the crowd and parlay the eventual frenzy brought on by their new single, Sebastian. Eventually, this track was precipitated by consensual neighborly head touching (there isn’t a easy way to describe this dammit – it’s on the first video though so suggestions are welcome). At the conclusion of that insanity, Reptar ran into Sebastian and the floor boards at KFN rocked like a schooner in the middle of the Atlantic. A solid performance, you can check out some of our video below:

The Brooklyn based tropical synth duo, Tanlines, comprised of Jesse Cohen (see: Professor Murder) and Eric Emm (see: Don Caballero) delivered stunning sounds at the April Making Time Event at Voyeur. On this Friday the 13th, there was nothing scary about what was played on stage. Shimmering guitar highlighted familiar dance hall beats and the crowd was worked into a frenzy. Packed deep, we were treated to amazing calypso and South African beat tinged euphoria. Tanlines played songs off both their 2012 and 2010 releases and it was fantastic.

The set was highlighted by fervent bongos and soothing vocals characteristic of the Tanlines catalog. We enjoyed every minute of it and only wished for an encore. That withstanding, Tanlines are a mind blowing act that will alter your state of consciousness and take you to inner worlds undiscovered. Check out some video from the night below and head on over to the Tanlines website for more info.

Fists were stateside in Philly at JB’s on March 15th, 2012. The band is an indie rock amalgam out of Nottingham, England. Tracing their origins to 2005, Fists have garnered attention from Radio1 along with NME and a hodgepodge of other critics. In 2008 the band signed to Hello Thor records and released their first single. Various other singles and an EP have followed.

Check out their track “ascending” via the bandcamp link above. We think it’s our favorite and were stoked to get it on the limited press 7″ with band-done screen printing. Really good stuff that is hard to put on a finger on. We just know it makes us feel good. Check out some video from their show at JB’s below:

A Classic Education were in the States and played JB’s in Philly on March 30th. The 5 piece from Bologna, Italy brings an amazingly full live sound stemming from two guitars, a bass, drums and keys. Comprised of Jonathan, Luca, Paul, Giulia, and Federico the band has an indie rock feel with a touch of electronica – albeit a very small touch. There are also hints of garage rock in there. It is quite a nice package. The band represents a full ensemble effort fronted by Jonathan Clancyness of the solo project, His Clancyness. We loved his work with that and were excited to see his work manifested live with a full backing band. A let down it was not.

Currently on the Lefse record label, A Classic Education has two EPs and a Long Play out. The LP was a 2011 release and many of the songs played came off this album. Thoroughly an enjoyable set, we have some video for you below to check out:

The formidable trio of Rick Froberg, Sohrab Habibion, and Greg Simpson comprise the scorching garage punk band Obits. Formed in 2006, the band comes by way of BK and has past independent projects Drive Like Jehu, Edsel, and Hot Snakes under it’s belt. Seminal to say the least. Playing Johnny Brenda’s in Philly on March 15, 2012, the band laid down numerous tracks off their 2011 release Moody, Standard and Poor along with tracks from 2009’s I Blame You.

A performance we are relieved not to have missed, Obits blasted in-your-face instrumentals with disgustingly good vocals. We felt every sound and were compelled to dive in head first. Check out some video below to see what you may have missed:

Cloud Nothings is Dylan Baldi, Joe Boyer, TJ Duke, and Jayson Gerycz and was the brainchild of the most former. Originating in Ohio, the group has risen meteorically since it’s humble beginnings in 2009. With three high-quality albums produced since 2010, a best new music citation from Pitchfork this year, and a bevy of catchy singles under their belts, Cloud Nothings shows no sign of slowing down.

We caught them at Johnny Brenda’s on March 30th of this year and were extremely excited having missed their go-around late last year. This sell-out show was packed full of energy and the band wasted no time playing to it. Running through most every track on their 2012 release, Attack On Memory, the band laid down mind bending riffs and beats that drew goosebumps. It was truly an awesome spectacle. The highlight for us was certainly the 13+ minute version of Wasted Days. In lieu of using more words to describe this, check out the video below:

Every so often we attend a show semi-blind and don’t quite know what to expect. This, on occasion, proves to be a decision that stuns with it’s seemingly perfect fate. The Saint Motel set at KFN on March 3rd presented by The Swollen Fox and Y-Not Radio was just such an event. Music that made us want to re-listen to their entire catalog. Music that made us want to continue to search through the myriad of quality, and not so quality, band output to find another so exciting. We wish another chance to replicate the experience would come soon as this was truely great to watch and hear. A/J Jackson Jr., Dak, asharp, and G.S. Erwin are an LA-based quartet with a jubilant sound delivered via fierce drums, nasty guitar solos, steady bass lines and harmonic vocals.

The effort displayed was partially measured in sweat as KFN was extremely hot for a winter night. The remainder was displayed in passionately delivered verse, chord and beat to a crowd who knew what they were seeing was way above average. Saint Motel is a band to be seen while you can outside of L.A. and before the machine gets a hold of their obvious talent. We know wide success for them is always at their doorstep, and that Saint Motel is a band to watch and listen. Check the link above for their catalog on Spotify and take a peep at the videos from the evening below. Please also note, these guys cover a Del Shannon track – My Little Runaway. How sick is that? It’s the third video down: